Being Sisters

Sweet big sister helping Annie with some breakfast.

They seem to genuinely like each other. Annie is certainly a happier baby when she has her big sister to watch and play with. There have been a few scuffles, like when I resurrect an old Violet toy for Annie to play with and Violet suddenly develops attachment syndrome, nevermind that she hasn't played with her Little People farm in a good two years and had zero percent interest until Annie figured out how to make the chicken cluck-cluck. But for the most part, Violet runs around like her crazy self and Annie is content to watch and learn and squeal. Moments like these are exactly what I was hoping for with sisters - I'm so glad I got two girls!

(Truth: a girl and a boy would have been fine of course!)

(Truthier: I was secretly hoping for another girl.)

Taking a walk together, they insisted on touching each other the whole time.

Miss America

Annie figured out how to wave a week or so ago, and ever since I've been trying to capture it on camera. While most babies seem to wave by opening and closing their fingers up and down, Annie does this little wrist twisting action. It's her version of the Miss America wave. You know, it's good to start practicing early, just in case! Can you picture me as a pageant mom? I'm sorry, did you just throw up a little? Yeah, me too. I would be the worst pageant mom in the history of pageants. Wear your old dress, who cares? Do your own hair, save a few bucks! You want to put double-stick tape where?!

Father's Day

This one goes out to Matt, the daddy of our girls. The one who always has a "comfy arm" for Violet to fall asleep on. The one who Annie lights up for. The one who kills the bugs, retrieves things from the attic, balances our bank account, changes the oil, plays the good music, mans the grill, does his own laundry... he is that one. That amazing one.

Family Weekend

In honor of my mom's retirement from a long and illustrious teaching career, and an early Father's Day celebration for my dad, who will be out of town on the actual day, I hosted a family weekend up here in our neck of the woods.

Playing with Papa.

Water baby!

Chillin' to the max!

Post-pool nap. 

Mimi time!

Everyone gathered Friday night for the traditional pizza and movie night. Violet picked Despicable Me, which we've seen often but was new to everyone else. It elicited quite a few belly laughs from my brother. It's funny, I'm often so distracted and multitasking during movie night, I think I've watched the whole thing. But subsequent viewings always leave me with a new scene or a line I missed. The part where Gru puts the three girls to bed and has to read them an insufferable children's book is always a favorite. But the new line that had me cracking up when when the girls request to hear said insufferable children's book and Gru replies, "It was accidentally destroyed. Maliciously." Ha! There are a few books in Violet's room that I would not be sad to see meet the same fate, not gonna lie.

Saturday we enjoyed my dad's amazing omelet (which we decided is actually more of a frittata), the boys went to gather grilling supplies, and then we all hit the pool. It was a lounging, do what you feel like, kind of day. We capped the day off with burgers on the grill and brownies for dessert, enjoyed on the "party porch," courtesy of my new patio lights. It was a great way to spend time with family!

The party porch!

Back to School Already?

Teaching her class.

I came upon this scene in the playroom, not even one day into summer break. Violet told me she was playing "teacher". Nice little class she has assembled, huh? I'm sorry to report that Annie did not pay very good attention to story time. The little bug has figured out how to scoot around on her butt. She's not very fast, but given enough time, she can work her way across the room. We've had a few face plants, but on the whole it's working quite well for her! My days of plopping her down and expecting her to stay until I return are over.

Drawing lessons for kitty.

Waving at mommy!

Sweet Friends

Violet is going to miss her school pals this summer! They'll all be in class while we're hanging out at the pool, lounging around the house, annoying each other (ah, the life of a teacher's kid!) Good thing we've got ballet camp and VBS planned with some of them. Gotta get a summer fix of friends!

Hello Summer!

School's out!

Which means I'm looking forward to this...

...and more of this....

...and maybe even some of this! Happy summer!